commentForbo Offering Marmoleum Composition Tile
Forbo’s Marmoleum sheet and tile linoleum products have been available in the U.S. for over ten years, in that time becoming popular for their attractive appearance, biobased content, low maintenance requirements, and good environmental performance. In some markets that are more sensitive to first costs, such as K-12 schools, however, Marmoleum has had trouble competing with the less-expensive industry standard, vinyl composition tile (VCT), which comes with concerns about PVC and pthalates as well as the chemical emissions from the repeated stripping and waxing cycles required for maintenance.
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To compete in these markets, Forbo has introduced Marmoleum Composition Tile (MCT), a thinner, less-expensive version of its product that is sold in 13" by 13" tiles. The company has also taken the innovative step of working with its affiliated distributors to guarantee an installed price of $2.75–$3.45/ft2), compared to around $5/ft2 for its standard Marmoleum tile.
By comparison, average installed costs for VCT from Armstrong range from $2–$7/ft2, with the bulk of its products falling below $2.99/ft2. Armstrong’s biobased Migrations tile is expected to cost $2.50–$3/ft2 before installation.
The only difference between MCT and standard Marmoleum tiles is the thickness. MCT is 2 mm (0.08 inches) thick, while the standard product is 2.5 mm (0.1 inches) thick; most VCT is 1/8" thick. Common to all of these products is their sensitivity to imperfections in the floor’s substrate. The thinness of MCT may cause the product to be even more sensitive to an uneven or cracked substrate, making floor preparation important.
Both Marmoleum products consist of a linoleum tile with a polyester backing, and both use Forbo’s water-based TopShield finish. Unlike most commercial VCT products, MCT and Marmoleum do not require additional finishing after installation, or continual stripping and waxing.
According to Tim Cole, director of environmental initiatives and product development for Forbo, the company developed TopShield in 2005 in response to customer complaints that Marmoleum was not easy enough to maintain. The factory-applied finish is applied in two layers and the bottom one cured with UV light to be very hard. If the softer top coat is damaged, the floor can be scrubbed and a new coat of TopShield applied in the field.
In 2007, Forbo set up a pilot composting program in the Mid-Atlantic region. Product scraps from installation and manufacturing are collected and sent to regional compost facilities. The program has diverted nearly 20 tons of solid waste per month from landfills and has reduced the amount of solid waste from the distribution facility by 85%.
This article was produced by BuildingGreen, LLC.- www.buildinggreen.com
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